HBO Orders Seasons 5 and 6 of “Game of Thrones”

Few situations are more straightforward: deliver a whopping 3.6 adults 18-49 rating with 6.64 million viewers for your season premiere on a premium cable network, receive a reward.

It should therefore come as no surprise that “Game of Thrones,” on the heels of that strong performance for its season four premiere, has earned fifth and sixth seasons at HBO.

“GAME OF THRONES is a phenomenon like no other,” said HBO’s Michael Lombardo. “David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with their talented collaborators, continue to surpass themselves, and we look forward to more of their dazzling storytelling.”

Sunday’s viewership tally of 6.64 million ranks as the network’s strongest since the series finale of “The Sopranos” attracted 11.9 million in 2007.

The fifth and sixth seasons of HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” like their predecessors, are expected to contain ten episodes.